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How Important Is It to Recognize Your Risk Factors for Mental Health Conditions?

If a mental health condition continues untreated the likelihood of developing a problem with substance abuse or addiction significantly increases

Many people are at an increased risk for developing mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder or even schizophrenia. A family history of mental health conditions is one of the most common risk factors that predisposes certain individuals to develop a mental health condition at some point in their life. Unfortunately, many mental health conditions are not adequately assessed or identified early on in the development stage, which can lead to poorer outcomes in numerous areas of life. People experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition often rely solely on their primary care provider for treatment. Primary care providers are not always equipped to adequately address mental health conditions. Seeking out mental health specialists can be more beneficial in identifying and addressing the issues before they become worse.

The Benefits of Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Health Issues

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), early detection, assessment and treatment of mental health conditions can benefit people of all ages. NAMI goes on to describe how unchecked mental health conditions can continue to compound, leading to an unnecessary accumulation of difficulties and complications in many areas of life. NAMI claims that for both children and adults who are experiencing initial mental health symptoms, early intervention can significantly reduce their risk of experiencing life problems such as substance abuse, addiction, legal problems and incarceration in either jail or a mental health institution. Intervening in a mental health condition by recognizing the risk factors and receiving treatment early on can also help in the following ways:

Lessens the severity of long-term disabilities due to the mental health condition

Increases a person’s ability to recover

Reduces the amount of time that abnormal thoughts and feelings are allowed to accumulate and negatively affect behavior

Reduces the person’s risk for engaging in unhealthy practices such as self-medicating through substance abuse

Increases the person’s likelihood of being able to adequately adjust to life with a mental health condition and manage his symptoms

Reduces the risk of poor outcomes in social and professional life due to abnormal behavioral and emotional symptoms that progress from an untreated and undiagnosed mental health condition

Increases the person’s likelihood of functioning at an adequate level in work, school and social surroundings

Seeking out professional help as soon as you experience symptoms of a potential mental health condition is essential to increasing the likelihood of having a healthier, more manageable life in recovery. If a mental health condition continues untreated the likelihood of developing a problem with substance abuse or addiction significantly increases.

Need Help Finding Treatment for a Mental Health Condition or Addiction?

If you or someone you love is struggling with a mental health condition or drug addiction, please call our toll-free number now. Our admissions coordinators are standing by 24 hours a day in order to help you find a treatment program that will work for you. You can overcome a mental health condition or problem with addiction. Call us today.